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Programs

Organ, Sacred Music, and Historical Keyboards

The Department of Organ, Sacred Music, and Historical Keyboards upholds the highest standards of excellence in the study and performance of the entire arc of the organ repertoire. Renowned faculty members with a broad variety of expertise provide a comprehensive experience for students in all degree programs. Students receive individual attention from all of the department’s faculty in a friendly and supportive collegial environment, and have regular access to an unparalleled selection of historic and modern instruments. We prepare students for careers as full-time musicians through instruction in improvisation, sacred music, choral music, continuo, harpsichord, piano, organ repertoire, jazz piano, theatre organ, clavichord, organ building, and more. We are actively engaged with the international profession through sponsorship of student travel abroad as well as participation in international academies, competitions, and conferences. A strong commitment to local community outreach is demonstrated through the presentation of more than 200 local organ concerts each year.

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Organ, Sacred Music, and Historical Keyboards website.

AdmissionsLink to section

Applying to Advanced CertificatesLink to section

Advanced Certificate in Performance Admission Requirements

  • Online application
  • A personal statement
  • A resume or CV
  • An audition on the major instrument (and prescreening recordings in most cases)
  • Three recommendation letters

Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section

Master of Music Admission Requirements

  • Online application
  • A personal statement
  • A resume or CV
  • An audition on the major instrument (and prescreening recordings in most cases)
  • Three recommendation letters

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

Doctor of Musical Arts Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • A personal statement
  • A resume or CV
  • A sample writing of a past research paper and/or previously published article or submission
  • An audition on the major instrument (and prescreening recordings in most cases)
  • Three recommendation letters

See https://www.esm.rochester.edu/admissions/grad/ for the most up-to-date application/audition and prescreening requirements.

AcademicsLink to section

Advanced Certificates and RequirementsLink to section

The Advanced Diploma in Performance is a one-year program (which can be extended) that centers around private instruction on the major instrument as well as high-level chamber music and ensemble experiences. In addition, students can enroll in practical elective coursework that will supplement their performance study and better prepare them for a career as a professional musician. For each of the two semesters, the core courses are four units of applied music lessons, one unit of ensembles, a one-unit Diploma Colloquium, and performance project (completed in the second or final semester of study). For the most up-to-date information, see: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/admissions/grad/adp/.

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Master of Music degree is a two-year program with strong emphasis on applied instrumental or vocal study and performance as well as broad intellectual development. Prerequisites include demonstrated proficiency on the major instrument or voice and an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent. Core requirements include 16 units of applied instruction, three music history courses, a theory course, ensembles, electives, organ repertory courses, and a degree recital. For the most up-to-date course requirements, see https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/06-00/#06.02.11.

Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree is designed to represent high attainment in the practice of music. Prerequisites include demonstration of high achievement in performance through an audition, and demonstration of writing ability through submission of a scholarly paper and academic credentials, including transcripts of all previous collegiate-level coursework. The coursework for the degree is typically completed over six semesters (three years), followed by the doctoral comprehensive exam. Core coursework generally includes six semesters of lessons, four doctoral seminars, three theory courses, and a minor or electives. In addition, there are two performance recitals and a lecture-recital. The degree culminates in the comprehensive exam: a two-day written exam covering music history and theory, and a final oral exam centered around the student’s major instrument and its repertoire, pedagogy, and organology. For the most up-to-date requirements, see https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/06-00/#06.03.14.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

  • 460A: Primary Lessons
  • 430A: Primary Lessons (1/2 time)
  • OSH 401-404: Sacred Music Skills
  • OSH 405: Organ Improvisation
  • OSH 407: Harpsichord Performance and Literature through the 18th Century
  • OSH 421-424: Organ Repertoire I-IV
  • OSH 443-444: Keyboard Continuo Realization
  • OSH 491-492: Organ Department Colloquium

Other coursework for this program is housed in other departments, such as musicology and music history. For a more comprehensive list of requirements, visit: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/.